Monday, July 13, 2009

New Dramatists call for submissions

New Dramatists, in New York City, on of our country's oldest institutions for supporting playwrights and nurturing new plays, just released their revised submission policy. We thought we'd get it to you asap.Courtesy The Loop.

WHAT IS NEW DRAMATISTS?New Dramatists is a nonprofit center for the development of talented, professional playwrights. We support our resident playwrights through free, seven-year residencies, providing access to an array of programs and services, primarily space and time to grow as artists in the company of some of their most gifted peers. Other services include our Playwrights’ Laboratory—i.e. readings, workshops, and innovative studios for new plays and musicals; writing space (the John C. Russell Writers Room); free copying; international exchanges; retreats; awards; temporary accommodations in 7th Heaven, located on the third floor of our one hundred-year-old Church in Midtown Manhattan; a full-time support staff for casting, dramaturgical and career assistance, and professional advocacy; and a vibrant community of colleagues. New incoming playwrights receive a free one year membership to the Dramatists Guild. New Dramatists is a member of Fractured Atlas Open Arts Network.

WHO CAN APPLY?Playwrights living in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area;Playwrights outside the tri-state area who are able to demonstrate the ability to spend time in New York City, the desire to utilize New Dramatists’ services, and the readiness to participate in a dynamic artistic community.

WHAT DO I SEND?Full-length plays (A full-length play is a single play that constitutes a full evening of theatre. For example, a 90-minute play without an intermission IS a full length play.);Books to musicals (You may also submit music but please do not submit music in place of the book. Please note, however, that past admissions committees have often found libretti less competitive than plays.).

PLEASE DO NOT SEND:Screenplays and/or teleplays;Translations or adaptations from previously published material;Short one-act plays or 10-minute plays, whether collected or alone (Thematically connected short plays will no longer be accepted as a full-length play submission.).

WHEN ARE NEW APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED?Between July 15 – September 15 annually. THIS IS NOT A POSTMARK DEADLINE. Any application that arrives after that time will not be considered. Please call New Dramatists for hours of operation.

HOW DOES THE SELECTION PROCESS WORK?Over the course of eight months, a seven-person panel of past and present New Dramatists writers and outside theatre professionals reads plays, meets to discuss the work, and, by consensus, winnows down the list of applicants. (All “A” plays are read; “B’ plays are circulated as applicants advance through the process.)This committee changes completely from year to year. Special efforts are made to balance the panel in terms of aesthetic sensibilities, gender, race, age, etc., as diversity is crucial to the adjudication process. We send notification regarding the status of your application in a rolling fashion: a round of letters goes out in February, the second round of letters goes out in April, and the final round of letters goes out in May. Writers who are accepted into New Dramatists are notified in May.

WHAT DOES NEW DRAMATISTS ASK OF ITS PLAYWRIGHTS?We charge resident playwrights no dues or fees. We do ask, though, that they make full use of our programs and services and participate actively in this artistic community.